Updated 10:32 pm, Friday, June 28, 2013

A 40-year-old man was sent to prison for life in the slaying of a teenager 15 years ago during a robbery and shootout in north Harris County.

A jury sentenced Saul Serna after he was convicted in the fatal shooting of Ali Scott on April 20, 1998, at an apartment at 2402 Bammelwood near Kuykendahl, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

Another suspect in the case, Austin Moore, is awaiting trial. Serna's older brother, 43-year-old Jesus "Jessie" Serna, is also accused in the killing but is currently on the run.

Deputies said four people broke into the apartment and opened fire during a robbery. Scott and 18-year-old Darrion Sanders were inside the apartment and returned gunfire.

Scott was wounded and was taken to an area hospital, where he later died. One of the alleged robbers, 22-year-old Christopher Ibarra, died in the shootout.

The other three suspects left after the shooting.

Investigators who were working the case hit a dead end, and the killing remained unsolved for years. But after new information came to light, deputies arrested Moore in 2007 and charged him with capital murder. The investigation continued through 2011, when the Serna brothers were identified as suspects and also charged with capital murder.

At the time he was charged, Saul Serna was in state prison, serving a five-year sentence in an unrelated case.

Anyone with information about Jesus Serna's whereabouts should contact the Harris County Sheriff's Office's criminal warrants division at 713 755-6055 or Crime Stoppers at 713 222-TIPS.

Tips can also be sent through iWatchHarrisCounty, which is a free mobile phone app. For information about submitting tips visit www.iWatchHarrisCounty.com.